Vinesh Phogat CAS hearing: Verdict on wrestler’s disqualification motion adjourned until August 11

CAS hearing for Vinesh Phogat: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said a special division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will need another day to decide on Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal against his disqualification from the women’s 50kg freestyle final at the Olympic Games.

“The ad hoc division of CAS has extended the time until 6:00 p.m. on 11 August 2024 for the sole arbitrator, Hon. Dr. Annabelle Bennett in the case of Vinesh Phogat vs. United World Wrestling and International Olympic Committee, to render a decision,” the IOA said in a statement.

“A reasoned order will be issued at a later date,” it added.

29-year-old Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat did not take part in the final of the Paris Olympics because he exceeded the permitted limit by 100 grams.

According to a source at the IOA, the decision will most likely not be announced publicly until August 13, two days after the end of the Paris Olympics.

A verdict in favor of the wrestler would mean that both Yusneylys Guzmán Lopez and Vinesh Phogat would receive silver medals.

The International Olympic Committee, however, believes that this is unlikely. Thomas Bach insisted on Friday that it is not possible to have two silver medals in one category. He added that the rules of the International Federation must be respected. The IOC president concluded, however, by saying that they will ultimately abide by the CAS decision.

“If you ask in general about two silver medals in one category, my answer is no. There are International Federation rules that have to be followed and the International Federation, United World Wrestling, made that decision.” Bach said

After being disqualified from the final of the Olympic Games in Paris for slightly exceeding the weight limit, Phogat announced her retirement from wrestling.

Phogat advanced to the gold medal match by beating Cuban Yusneylis Guzman Lopez 5-0 in the semifinals on Tuesday night. She was scheduled to compete against American Sarah Ann Hildebrandt for the gold medal but was disqualified on Wednesday for exceeding the weight limit. Kicking off her campaign, Vinesh notched one of the biggest victories of her career in the round of 16, beating top seed and Tokyo 2020 champion Yui Susaki of Japan.